Gungahlin Marketplace: Watch the dramatic moment a good Samaritan springs into action to stop a brazen thief who allegedly robbed a woman at a Canberra shopping center
A Good Samaritan bystander has intervened to stop a brazen thief who moments earlier allegedly robbed a woman at an ATM.
The mystery woman's heroic act was captured on CCTV at the Gungahlin Marketplace shopping center in Canberra's north on Wednesday afternoon.
The alleged thief was caught running up the escalators with a black shoulder bag before darting across to rush to another escalator.
He was suddenly stopped by a woman who grabbed the bag.
A Good Samaritan bystander stopped a suspected thief from making off with his victim's money at a Canberra shopping center
The pair became involved in a tug-of-war over the bag when another woman who apparently chased him up the escalator ran up to him and also grabbed him.
Several other customers then intervened to help the women restrain the man.
The relieved victim got her money back and the man fled the scene.
The police were present and viewed camera images, which allowed the suspected perpetrator to be identified.
The man, 54, was arrested shortly before Min Lyneham.
He was charged with theft, obstructing the conduct of a forensic procedure, and two counts of possessing a knife without reasonable excuse.
Further charges were expected as the man was due to appear in the ACT Magistrate's Court on Thursday.
Police said they would like to speak to the woman who prevented the man from fleeing the scene, as well as any other witnesses who have not yet come forward.
Anyone with information that could assist police is asked to get in touch Crime Stoppers.
The alleged thief was seen running up an escalator as his alleged victim chased him